Forgotten Divisions: Unveiling the Differences Between Russian Collaborators in WWII

Russian Collaboration in WWII: A Comparison of 'Hiwis' and Vlasov's Army On June 1st, 2025, a video was uploaded to a social media platform discussing the diverse forms of Russian collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II. The video, created by a history enthusiast known as politsovetnik2.0, sheds light on the often-overlooked differences between two main groups: 'Hiwis' and Vlasov's Army. 'Hiwis,' short for 'Hilfswilliger,' or auxiliary volunteers, were primarily non-combatants who performed support roles for the German military. According to politsovetnik2.0, "These were mostly POWs who chose life over death, and therefore served the Germans." In contrast, Vlasov's Army was a larger military formation composed of former Soviet soldiers who fought alongside the Axis powers. However, the video emphasizes that the Germans were wary of arming and fully equipping Vlasov's Army, fearing potential defections. The author states, "The Germans were afraid of this army and didn't give them artillery or armored vehicles." This limited support resulted in Vlasov's Army being significantly smaller and less effective than its Ukrainian counterparts, who received more substantial military aid. The video concludes by highlighting the contrasting roles and treatment of these different groups within the broader context of Russian collaboration during the war. This nuanced perspective offers a valuable contribution to the historical understanding of this complex period.